Month guide · Gold Coast · Australia
Gold Coast in January
What January is really like in Gold Coast: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The original uploader was Triki-wiki at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 21°C (70°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 13.7 hours of daylight. Peak summer holidays: hot, humid, with afternoon storms and the busiest beaches and theme parks.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 13.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the warmest month in Gold Coast: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 25°C (77°F), and nights fall to about 21°C (70°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with December (27°C (81°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 05:04
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:47
- Daylight
- About 13.7 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Autumn (March–May). Warm water, settling weather and fewer crowds after Easter; a strong time for surfing.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Summer school holidays (most of January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Viewpoint · Surfers Paradise
SkyPoint Observation Deck
Visit at sunset to see the coast turn gold, then stay for the city lights.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Iconic
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Kids
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Gallery · Bundall
HOTA, Home of the Arts
The Gold Coast's arts precinct beside the Nerang River has a contemporary gallery building with Australian art and touring exhibitions, theatres, an outdoor stage and parklands.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Free
Beach · Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise Beach
Swim between the red-and-yellow flags; rips are common, and the flags move with conditions each day.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Kids
- Outdoors
Zoo · Currumbin
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Operating since 1947, the sanctuary started with lorikeet feeding and now has koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles and a wildlife hospital that treats thousands of injured native animals each year.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
- Outdoors
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Gold Coast.
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 21°C and 10 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Gold Coast?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Gold Coast in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Gold Coast?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Peak summer holidays: hot, humid, with afternoon storms and the busiest beaches and theme parks.
+How warm is Gold Coast in January?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 21°C (70°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Gold Coast in January?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.